Removing USB drives

[mystvearn]

When I want to eject the drive, must I click the "safely remove usb devices.." or I can just pull it out straight away. Before this I just pull it without doing that step. All my friends are doing it. Is it ok?

On the mac, I need to eject/place the drive in the trash

[not important]

I just unplug mine when I'm done using them.

[JimmyDee]

The only problem I have ever known about is that if XP thinks it still needs it for any reason, it will tell you, you done bad. I never wait. I feel I know when XP or what ever is done using that port and just unplug it.
Jim

[glc]

You should eject it with "safely remove devices" - if you don't, one of these days it will corrupt on you.

[JimmyDee]

Thanks for the info on the corruption. Guess I been lucky so far.
Jim

[glc]

Yep - I corrupted my flash memory key the other day this way - had to reformat it.

[mystvearn]

reversible corruption yes? I have expereinced that few times, not from mac/windows. Use both.
Then I have to reformat with the supplied software

[Panama Red]

Guess I'm a lucky one too. I've just pulled out my Smart Media cards or Flash stick without a thought. Never paid any attention to that icon by the clock, "Safely Remove Hardware"!

[glc]

Reversible, yes - but it has to be reformatted. If you are using a camera card and a reader, never reformat it in the reader - do it in the camera.